Merrit Loop

Comments:

This loop is one of the better day runs from Vancouver.  It has several good options such as:

1) Manning Park ride including playing in the Lightning Lakes area and return.

2) Playing in the Princeton area and returning to Hope,

3) Loitering in the Princeton area and then continuing on with the loop (producing a night ride through the Fraser Canyon), or

4) Blasting through Princeton on a pell-mell dash around the loop.

5) An slightly shorter version through the Fraser Canyon, over to Merrit on the excellent #8 from Spences Bridge, down to Kingsvale on the superb Coldwater Road and finally back to Hope via the magnificent Coquihalla.  This is one of my favorite "spur of the moment hardcore biking" rides.  During the summer it's easy to leave around noon and still be back before dark.  I prefer doing this clockwise.   And for those warm summer evenings when night riding is fun, I'll leave mid-afternoon in order to hit the Fraser Canyon at night (going counter clockwise obviously).

6) Similar to option #5 but through Manning Park and back from Merrit via the Coldwater Rd and the Coquihalla Highway.  For some reason I prefer option 5 over this one.  Probably because of the long four lane straight stretches in Manning Park these days and I hate to lose the Fraser Canyon and #8 from Spences Bridge.    Still it is a good change of pace.

All options are great fun so be sure to try them all (not on the same trip though!!).

The Hope-Princeton, 5A from Princeton to Merrit, #8 from Merrit to Spences Bridge and the Fraser Canyon are four distinct and terrific highlights of the loop.  In fact #8 is probably one of the best sportbike runs in the province with non-stop twisties and good visibility on many corners (watch for gravel from the banks however).  In the context of this trip, the Fraser Canyon section fits in nicely.   If you're tired on the way back then skip #7 and just blast back on the freeway (using the term "blast" somewhat loosely given the congestion on #1 these days).

If Manning Park is the destination be sure to zip up Blackwell Mtn to the Cascade Lookout.  The turnoff is near the park HQ and basically opposite (north) the Lightning Lakes turnoff.  This is a great 7km run up the mountain on narrow switchback roads ending in an unparalleled view of the valley.  If you can stand gravel (usually in good shape) another 6 kms or so will take you to the microwave station at the summit of Blackwell Mtn.  This is another panoramic view (you can easily see the Coquihalla, Whipsaw and Cascade ranges) with plenty of alpine trails for hiking.   After that head over to the Lightning Lakes for a few more kms of decent biking roads while considering the popular picnic, camping and hiking opportunities existing there.  Depending on your definition of a day this may not be a full day's ride.    So there is probably time to explore the Hope area specifically the Kawkawa Lake Road (behind Hope - turn off from the old Hope-Princeton highway) until it dead ends (about 10km or so).  This road also take you near the Othello Tunnels which are worth the walk at least once in your life.

If you are exploring the Princeton area then Princeton to Tulameen and Otter Lake (going as far as the pavement allows) is a must see.  This is much like the Pemberton to D'Arcy run.  Excellent biking road with sparse traffic.   Unfortunately it dead-ends and requires a retreat back to Princeton unless you are prepared to hoof it on gravel to connect with 5A heading to Merrit.

A similar Princeton off-shoot heads to Bankeir (Chain, Link and Osprey Lakes).  Not as good as the Tulameen run in terms of twisties or pavement but longer and fun nonetheless.  Just watch the pavement after Chain Lake, the potholes will eat your bike for dinner.  Unfortunately the potholes are only a precursor to the gravel which starts at the end of Osprey Lake so don't dream about reaching Summerland unless you have a dual-purpose bike (or have your false teeth firmly glued in...)

Playing in Princeton opens the possibility of a run to Hedley on the north side of the Similkameen River.  This section has good pavement, little traffic and plenty of curves.  A loop back to Princeton on the main highway passes Bromley Rock Provincial Campsite.  Nothing beats floating lazily down the river on a hot summers day especially if you're organized enough to have brought picnic goodies (hint: some matches, newspaper, hamburger/hot dog buns and the fixings all fit in a tank bag...).

Night riders can dilly-dally in Princeton and then continue the loop hitting the Fraser Canyon at night.  I find the canyon more interesting at night so recommend this option for an occasional change of pace.   Just be prepared to dodge wildlife out for their evening stroll on the tarmac...

Map (Click on map for full size):

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